The basic principles of quantitative elemental analysis using x-ray fluorescence are described. Data obtained from 71 elements using ⁵⁵Fe, ²⁴¹Am and ¹⁰⁹Cd sources are tabulated and presented graphically. The technique was employed in the examination of art objects with a view to either detecting forgeries or determining their origin. 2000 American and 100 British silver objects have been analyzed; a tankard, apparently made by Joseph Richardson of Philadelphia, was shown to have a body of 20th century British silver. Study of a set of six Paul Revere tankards, made in Massachusetts in 1768, indicated that the silversmith made up his castings in two units per lot. Investigation of a group of 24 15th-century Italian bronzes revealed that three pieces had identical composition and hence were produced from the same batch of metal. -- AATA